East Hartford Town Council
Town Council Chambers
February 4, 2014
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Barbara-Ann Rossi, Minority Leader Esther B. Clarke, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Linda A. Russo, Ram Aberasturia, Patricia Harmon and Anita D. Morrison
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. The Chair announced the exit
locations in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes §29-381, after which the
Council joined him in the pledge of allegiance.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
Resolution Honoring J. Roger Pelletier
MOTION By Esther Clarke
seconded by Pat Harmon
to adopt the following resolution:
Whereas, J. Roger “Roger” Pelletier served the Town of East Hartford as a Selectman from November 2, 1971 through November, 2013 as indicated in the Town’s records; and
Whereas, Roger continues to serve the Town as a member of the Veteran’s Commission; and
Whereas, Roger has worked as a Voter Machine Mechanic for many years and also served as a Justice of the Peace; and
Whereas, Roger actively organized a group known nationwide as the Young Republicans, as well as served as a District Chair for the Republican Town Committee; and
Whereas, Roger was employed by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in the Town of East Hartford from 1966 to 1993; and
Whereas, Roger served the Parishioners of St. Isaac Joques Church as a Eucharistic Minister for 25 years; and
Whereas, Roger is the loving husband of Sally (Seraphine) for over 50 years and father to three children raised and educated in East Hartford, and who now are successful parents and husbands and wives themselves going forward in their communities as valued residents.
Now therefore let it be resolved that Mayor Marcia Leclerc and the East Hartford Town Council give their thanks to J. Roger Pelletier for the years of service given by him to our community and extend their appreciation for all the time and energy he has expended on behalf of our town and it’s residents and wishes him much happiness in the future.
Motion carried 9/0.
Both Chair Kehoe and Mayor Leclerc presented this recognition to Mr. Pelletier. The Councillors thanked him for his many years of serving the community.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Susan Kniep, 44-46 and 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) spoke against the approval of the Telecommunicators’ collective bargaining agreement due to the poor economic climate; (2) stated that the federal government requires that a legal ad be placed when a relative of an elected official on the town’s legislative body may receive grant monies supplied by the federal government; and (3) noted that she received the King Court Purchase and Sales Agreement from the East Hartford Housing Authority.
Mayor Leclerc (1) announced a town-wide parking ban due to the impending snow storm; (2) reported that the installation of the rooftop solar arrays is approximately 50% complete; (3) said the Administration is working on the budget in preparation of presenting it to the Council by February 23rd – per Town Charter; (4) attended the recent Women’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Roundtable with Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman held here in Town Hall; and (5) was invited by Congressman John Larson to attend the State of the Union address – which trip was not paid for by East Hartford taxpayers.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 21, 2014 Executive Session
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Anita Morrison
to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2014 Executive Session.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Clarke, Harmon
January 21, 2014 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2014 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Clarke
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Pension Valuation, Experience Study, COLA Review and Investment Results Presentations
Joseph Carlson, Town Treasurer, briefly commented on his role investing the Town’s
pension fund assets. Mr. Carlson, who is also Chair of the town’s Pension and Retiree Benefit Board (Retirement Board), stated that the highlight of this year’s report is the Retirement Board’s investment in an actuarial experience study – which is an exhaustive examination of the assumptions necessary to calculate correctly how the town’s pension should be funded. This year the Retirement Board is recommending to the Mayor and to the Town Council that the town move its discount rate (assumed annual rate of return on pension fund investments) from 8% to 7 ¾%. Mr. Carlson cautioned that as the discount rate is lowered, the cost to fund the town’s pension rises. He also noted that the actuarial experience study suggested a discount rate of 7 ½%. The
Retirement Board feels is not feasible to incur this additional expense at this time.
Segal Company: Pension Contributions for FY2014-2015
Ann Gineo, Senior Vice President and Actuary at The Segal Company reviewed the town’s pension plan through a PowerPoint presentation. Ms. Gineo explained that they reviewed the various assumptions upon which the projected pension costs are based, e.g. annual mortality rate, length of employee service, inflation and average wage increases. This review tested the current assumptions over actual experience during the preceding five years. Most of the assumptions were changed. The Town Council will decide which assumptions and recommendations to adopt when approving the budget.
3D Asset Management: Discussion of the Town’s Portfolio – Equity Side
John O’Connor, President of 3D Asset Management, Inc., presented the returns on the equity side of the Town’s portfolio. A large portion of the town’s assets have been invested in large U.S. stocks. Mr. O’Connor stated that the pension investments for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, saw an increase of 17 ½ %. The Other Post Employment Benefit (OPEB) Plan Trust saw an increase of 18 ½ %.
Fiduciary Investment Advisors: Discussion of the Town’s Portfolio – Fixed Income Side
Christopher Kachmar, Chief Investment Officer of Fiduciary Investment Advisors (FIA)
addressed the returns on the fixed income side of the Town’s portfolio. Mr. Kachmar’s presentation showed that for the calendar year ending December 31, 2013, the relative performance rate for the town’s pension plan was 1¼%, while the relative performance rate for the town’s OPEB trust was .1%.
NEW BUSINESS
Collective Bargaining Agreement: Town of East Hartford and the Teamsters Local #559 (Telecommunicators)
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the
Town of East Hartford and the Teamsters Local 559, Telecommunicators,
effective July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2016 as outlined in the Tentative
Agreement attached to a memo dated January 17, 2014 from Mayor
Marcia A. Leclerc to Town Council Chair Richard f. Kehoe.
Motion carried 6/3. Nays: Clarke, Harmon, Morrison
Once fully executed, a copy of this contract will follow these minutes.
Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grant
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation has made funding available under the Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grants Program (HPTAG); and
WHEREAS, the HPTAG program is designed to support efforts that help communities plan for the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings throughout the state to ensure that they remain resources for the state’s heritage tourism initiatives; and
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED; That Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized to make application to, and execute and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all documents, contracts, and amendments as may be required by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation as they pertain to this Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grants Program.
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Esther Clarke
to amend the resolution as follows:
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED; That Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized to make application to, and execute and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all documents, contracts, and amendments as may be required by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation as they pertain to this Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grants Program.
Motion carried 9/0.
On call of the vote of the amended motion, motion carried 9/0.
Connecticut Urban Forest Council Small Grants Program
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, funds are available through the Connecticut Urban Forest Council for small grants for the purpose of promoting and encouraging urban forestry in Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of these grants is to help municipalities, small non-profits and other entities develop the capacity and experience to practice urban forestry, and to foster on-the-ground results regarding the urban forest; and
WHEREAS, funding from this program could be used to improve the urban forest in the Town of East Hartford.
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED; That Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized to make application to execute and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all documents, contracts, and amendments as may be required by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation as they pertain to the Connecticut Urban Forest Council Small Grants Program.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
2014 Hartford Marathon
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to approve the outdoor amusement permit submitted by Josh
Miller, Technical Director for the Hartford Marathon Foundation to
conduct a marathon, road races and outdoor musical entertainment
with volunteers and several thousand spectators and runners on
Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 7:30AM to 12:00PM, with music
between the hours of 9AM and 2PM, subject to compliance with
adopted codes and regulations of the State of Connecticut, the
Town of East Hartford, and any other stipulations required by the
Town of East Hartford or its agencies.
Motion carried 9/0.
Referral to Fees Committee re: Lease Agreements
East Hartford ChildPlan, Inc. at East Hartford Community Cultural Center
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to refer to the Fees Committee the proposed renewal of the lease
between East Hartford ChildPlan, Inc. and the Town of East Hartford.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Kehoe
Friends of the East Hartford Senior Centers, Inc. at McCartin School
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Linda Russo
to refer to the Fees Committee the proposed renewal of the lease
between Friends of the East Harford Senior Centers, Inc. and the Town of
East Hartford.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Rossi
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Anita Morrison inquired on the town’s procedures for houses that are left vacant due to fire – specifically a house on 63 Woodbridge Avenue. Mayor Leclerc will look into the status of the Woodbridge Avenue property.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
None
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Reginald Thibault, 42 Chester Street, read a letter thanking the Council Clerk for her professionalism in dealing with the public. The letter is on file in the Council office and in Human Resources.
Mayor Leclerc reminded all that the Mayor’s Charity Ball will be held on March 22, 2014 at Rentschler Field Stadium.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Pat Harmon
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (10:20 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on February 18th.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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